Uruapan, Michoacan[Sightseeing - in Town] [Sightseeing - Side Trips] Founded in 1553 by Fray Juan de San Miguel, Uruapan today is a tranquil city of about 250,000 inhabitants. Located some 120 kilometers from Michoacan's capital, Morelia, Uruapan is accessible from that city via a new highway that passes through Patzcuaro in the nearby mountains. The region is well known for it's agriculture - particularly the production of the finest avocados in the country. There are also extensive orchards of oranges and grapefruit in the Nueva Italia area to the south along Highway 37, and travelers on that route can often come across citrus stands on the side of the highway where sackfuls of these fruits can be purchased at very reasonable cost. Though generally hot during the day, Uruapan's temperature can drop a fair bit in the evenings and early mornings. Prepare yourself with sweaters, jackets, socks and closed shoes for your stay in the area. SightseeingIn Town
The park follows the course of the Cupatitzio River which springs from the earth at the Rodilla del Diablo (Devil's Knee) at it's north end. Winding through cool, dense vegetation, past falls and around many fountains, the park also holds a trout tank and environmental education camp. LA HUATAPERA This structure, typical of colonial architecture of the area and situated on the square next to the Ex-Convent of San Francisco, was also founded by Fray Juan de San Miguel as a hospital. Today it houses the Museum of Popular Art. LA CAPILLA DE LA MAGDALENA - Chapel of the Magdalene. Built in the latter third of the 16th Century, in this Chapel are displayed a large 18th Century painting illustrating scenes from purgatory and the image of Saint Nicholas. Side TripsLA TZARARACUA - Located 10 kilometers to the south of town on the road to Apatzingan is La Tzararacua waterfall. Surrounded by lush vegetation, this refreshing site is accessible by horseback or walking path. PARACHO - Famed for the excellent guitars that are produced here, Paracho is a 38 kilometer drive north from Uruapan along highway 37. Located in a rich farming and wood-working region, the smaller nearby towns of Aranza, Cheran, Ahuiran, Charapan and Capacuaro offer a variety of crafts in wood as well as stone, embroidered good and other textiles.
TINGAMBATO - On the old road to Patzcuaro, some 20 minutes from Uruapan, is the Tingambato archeological zone - a collection of Purepecha ruins. ZIRAHUEN - In the pine-covered hills between Uruapan and Patzcuaro is Lago Zirahuen, a cold water lake rich in trout and whitefish. The houses of the village of Zirahuen are largely of wooden construction -- an unusual sight in Mexico. HOTELSHotel Mansion del Cupatitzio - Calz. Fray Juan de San Miguel (Parque Eduardo Ruiz) - (4) 523-2100 Hotel Plaza Uruapan - Ocampo 64, Centro (on the square) - Tel (4) 523-3599 Fax 523-3980 Hotel Villa de Flores - Emiliano Carranza 15. Tel. (4) 524-2800 Nuevo Hotel Alameda - 5 de Febrero 11. Tel.(4) 523-3635 Los Cedros Motel |
PARQUE NACIONAL EDUARDO RUIZ (Rio Cupatitzio) - A park of splendid natural beauty, the Eduardo Ruiz National Park is named for a historian who wrote loving legends about the area.
PARACUTÍN VOLCANO & VILLAGE OF ANGAHUAN - Paracutín erupted in 1943 and over the following nine years doused the surrounding 40 sq. kilometers with molten lava. Located in this area was the village of San Juan Parangaricutiro. Visitors can tour the area on foot or horseback and view the amazing sight of the town's church spire and walls emerging from the sea of hardened lava.
